While trying to log in to MSN Messenger this evening, I was given a message that said there is a newer version and that I had to upgrade to continue. Users of MSN Messenger know this message, it happens a few times a year. But when I clicked "ok", something downloaded and then ran, and then asked me what I wanted to do. "Use MSN Messenger" wasn't an option, though, the 2 options were "Repair" and "Uninstall."
I didn't need to repair this thing, there is a new version and I was told I had to use it, right? So I assumed that the answer must be "uninstall" because it wanted to uninstall the old version, then install the newer version.
But no, it just uninstalled and that was it. MSN Messenger committed "suicide by broken auto-update", a method of death MS really needs to avoid if they expect people to buy into their SmartClient/autoupdating methodology. Well, I don't think MS doing it wrong will actually stop others from doing it right, it just makes them look pathetic.
Or maybe it's just me looking pathetic, since I can't even figure out how to use this amazingly simple update process that is supposed to be used by everyone to make our lives easier from both the development and the user side.
I guess my life is a little easier now: I have one less IM client on my Start Menu.